Glasgow Lives: Paul, 27, Shawlands, photography student

Paul made the leap and it has changed his life for the better (Image: Elaine Livingstone)

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I was doing a job that allowed me to make the people I served happy, but I realised it wasn’t making me happy.

I worked in the hotel industry. My dad has worked his whole life in hotels so it was an environment that I grew up around. I was so familiar with that world that I thought I wanted it as a career.

I was a trainee manager and worked in luxury hotels.

The hotel industry involves working unsociable hours - 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. I felt that I wasn’t eating, sleeping or exercising properly. It’s not a healthy balanced lifestyle and it’s difficult on relationships. It just wasn’t for me.

Photography was a hobby at first. I got my first camera and started shooting in my spare time on the streets and doing landscapes. I got to a point where I thought I could be quite good at it professionally.

When I was a young, I loved art and was really into films. Cinematography was a big interest for me and I would look at the work of other photographers. I was drawn to creative things and I think, sub-consciously, that has led me to photography in later life, everything has come together.

I’ve really enjoyed studying. I know photography is the right path for me and things are looking promising beyond my degree. I’d love to go on to work as a photojournalist, and take pictures that maybe one day will have historical value. I also met my girlfriend when I took a part time job in a restaurant after I moved here, she’s a graphic designer and moved here from Venezuela three years ago.